Some of these Delawares went to live on the River Ohio and its Branches, and were kindly used by the Government of Pennsylvania, and maintained for some time before the Defeat of General Braddock, when they were persuaded by the French to assist them, on promise of being enabled to regain their Freedom from the Subjection they had been brought under by the Six Nations.

The Proprietors believe, those Indians & some of the Six Nations may not be thoroughly satisfied with the Purchase of the Land on the River Ohio, as they think it a very good hunting Country, and that the Indians would have been better pleased, had the Boundary Westward been the Allegany Hills, as they themselves proposed at the Treaty of Albany in 1754, a Copy of which M'". Penn presented to the Board.

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 741

The Proprietors will ever make it their constant Rule, to act such a part as shall be of greatest use to the Publick, tho' it it maybe prejudicial to their Private Interest, but they are very certain His Majesty's Ministers, and particularly their Lordships, will never suffer any partial considerations to have an effect upon them, to the Prejudice of the Proprietors ; they think it at this time very improper to make distant Settlements, tho' the Indians were to give their free Consent, but as they, on the contrary, are not well satisfied with the Sale of those Lands on the Ohio, the Proprietors are willing to wave that part of the Treaty, provided it be agreed, that if ever hereafter the Descendants of those Indians shall incline to sell those Lands, they shall be sold only to them, and they will give directions to their Governor to appoint proper Persons to meet the Chiefs of the Six Nations at Onondago, Sir William Johnson's or any other Place the Indians shall agree upon, to cohfer freely, and settle this Matter in a manner the most conducive to preserve a good understanding between the English and the Indians, without on the one hand being obliged to give up every thing they ask, which would make Treatys with them of no use, but to subject us to their contempt ; & on the other, give them full satisfaction with regard to their hunting Grounds.